Turbo transmission



Aug. l0, 1943. J. JANDAsEK 2,326,655

TuRso TRANSMISSION Filed Nov. 4, 1940 T0 A Jaune! or Fal/o Fae u lm e ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED TURBO TRANSMISSION Joseph Jandasek, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Ben` y dix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a

corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1940, serial No. 364,117

(c1. fie-54) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to transmissions and more particularly -to turbo transmissions which may be selectively operated as torque converters or as turbo clutches.l y

An object of the invention resides in the provision of an axially shiftable blade wheel member operable under the influence of fluid reaction.

A further object resides in the provision of fluid pressure actuated means to initiatemovement of the guide wheel member to transform the device from a turbo clutch to a torque converter.

Another object of the invention resides in the making of blades in spaced sections wherein the first group may be formed of closely spaced contoured rectifying blades and the second group may be formed 'of more widely spaced relatively thin cross section blades.' l

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of angularly disposed friction means associated with an axially extending helix member to direct an axially movable member in opposite directions depending on the direction of rotation of said member to selectively operate the device as a torque converter or as a turbo clutch.

Yet a still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a resiliently mounted guide wheel member.

Still another object is to provide pressure responsive means controlled by the uid pressure developed within the unit and inuencedby pressure developed by rotation of a driven shaft to control the position of a guide wheel member.

Another` object of the invention resides in the' provision of a plurality of independently operable reaction members to selectively transform a turbo unit from a torque converter to a turbo clutch dependent on the speed of operation and the load to which the unit is subjected.

A still further object is to provide a plurality of axially movable reaction members which may independently move into and out of a fluid circuit to vary the torque multiplication transmitted by the device.

'Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection. with the accompanying drawing, submitted for purposes of illustration only,- and not intended to dei-lne the scope of the invention, reference being had for that purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

. Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be observed that a driving shaft 2 is operably connected to an impeller housing 3. The impeller housing 3 is provided with impeller vanes 4 and terminates in a radially extending flange Shaving an axially disposed portion 'I mounted on suitable bearing Ameans 8. The axially disposed portion 1 is provided with a gear 9 which cooperates with a suitable pinion to form a uid pump.

A stationary frame or bell housing I0 may be employed as a support or anchor for the turbo unit. A radially extendingilange or spider member II may be suitably connected to the frame I0 by means of suitable resilient bushings I2.

The flange or spider II may be provided with an axially extending sleeve I3 preferably concentrically mounted relative to the driving shaft 2 and surrounding a driven shaft Il.

'I'he driven shaft I4 is provided with a radially extending web I5 which terminates in a turbine web I6. A turbine shroud I'I is suitably attached to the turbine web I6 by means of rectifying vanes I8 and main vanes I9. The vanes I8 and I9 are preferablyspaced apart to provide a vortex chamber 20 between the vanes. vanes I8 are preferably contoured and relatively closely spaced to rectify the flow of the fluid and transmit it to the vortex chamber '20 and the main vanes I9 in streamlines and with minimum turbulence. The turbine shroud Il is also pro.

vided with rectifying vanes 22 and main vanes 23 spaced apart to provide a free vortex chamber 24 therebetween.

The rectifying In the operation of this device energy is imparted to a fluid by means of the impeller vanes 4, and the energy transmitted to the uid is absorbed by the first stage turbine vanes 22 and 23 and the second stage turbine vanes I8 and I9 and is transmitted through the turbine web I6 and the radially extending web I to the driven shaft I4.

Interposed preferably between the lirst stage turbine vanes 22 and 23 and the second stage turbine vanes I8 and I9 is an axially shiftable guide Wheel member 28 having suitable reaction vanes. The guide wheel 23 is preferably carried by an axially shiftabl'e web member 29 suitably mounted on the stationary sleeve I3.

'Ihe guide wheel web 29 preferably terminates in a hub 30 having internal helical threads 3| which cooperate with external helical threads 32 carried by the stationary sleeve I3. The external threads 32 are of approximately the same axial length as the hub 30. The stationary sleeve I3 is provided with a smooth exterior portion 33 of slightly greater length than the hub 30 whereby the hub 30 may shift axially relative to the stationary sleeve I3 to disengage the external threads 32 and rotate freely on the portion 33 of the sleeve I3.

Suitable resilient means 34 carriedby the hub 30 may be provided to engage an axially movable flange 35 carried by the sleeve I3 to yieldingly urge the hub 30 towards engagement with the external helical threads 32 under certain operating conditions. A block 36 carried by the hub 30 and resiliently urged into engagement with the stationary sleeve I3 by any suitable means such for example as a spring 31 may be provided, if desired, to assist the spring 34 in moving the hub 30 into engagement with the end of the external helical threads 3,2`to operate the device as a torque converter or to yieldingly urge the hub 30 longitudinally of the sleeve I3 towards the flange 35 to operate the device as a turbo clutch, dependent on the direction of rotation between the hub 30 and the stationary sleeve I3. This longitudinal movement of the hub 30 is transmitted by the block 36 by reason of the fact that the block 36 is disposed at an angle to the sleeve I3 and to the hub 30.

The ange 35 which is axially movable on the sleeve I3 may be formed with a pluralityof projections 50 which may be received in slots 5I formed in the sleeve |3. Yielding means such for example as springs 52 received in slots 5,3 formed in the sleeve I3 may be provided to yieldingly urgethe flange 35 towards one extreme position.

to urge the flange 35 Means may be provided axially towards the threads 32 of the sleeve I3 to CFI a torque converter to transmit increased torque at lower speed. When the relative speed of operation of the impeller and turbine members approaches a substantially predetermined value,

to transmit power at a substantially 1:1 ratio y with substantially no torque multiplication. The drag or friction of the uid on the guide wheel member including the web 29 is sufdcient to rotate the guide wheel and thereby to hold the guide wheel member out of the circuit against the resistance of the spring 34.

When the device thus operates as a turbo clutch the internal threads 3| of the hub 30 engage the surface 33 of the sleeve I3 to rotate freely thereon in the forward direction, the block 36 resiliently urging the hub 30 away from the threads 32 of the sleeve I3.

The ends of the external threads 32 adjacent the flange 35 and the internal ends of the helix 3| of the hub 30 may be tapered as illustrated in Fig. 2 of my copendlng application Serial No. 364,116, led concurrently herewith, to facilitate reengagement of the hub with the external thread 32 when the uid reaction in the circuit tends to move the guide Wheel in the opposite direction to transform the unit from a turbo clutch to a torque converter.

The operation of the ldevice when the port 51 communicates with the intake manifold is as follows: At idling speed when the engine develops high vacuum in the manifold, suction is exerted on the plungers 54 to retract them in the cylinders 55 whereupon the springs 52 urge the flange 35 towards the position shown in Fig. l. When the engine is accelerated the vacuum drops and springs 56 urge the plungers 54 and iiange 35 towards the threads 32 of the sleeve I3 whereupon the flange 35 engages the hub 30 to urge the guide wheel towards the threads 32. When the threads 3| and 32 engagefthe reaction of the fluid exerted on the guide wheel rotates the hub 30 relative to the sleeve I3 to introduce the guide wheel into the fluid circuit whereupon the device is transformed from a turbo clutch to a initiate axial movement of the hub 38 and guide wheel 28 to transform the device from a turbo clutch to a torque converter. Qne suitable means for actuating the ange 35 comprises a plurality of spaced plungers 54 slidably mounted in cylinders 55 formed in the sleeve I3. Suitable resilient means such for example as springs 55 may be employed to yieldingly urge the plungers 54 into engagement with the flange 35. 'I'he plungers 54 may be actuated by fluid pressure admitted to the cylinders 55 by way oi' a port 51 which may communicate with engine vacuum, pr with a hydraulic brake unit.. or with manually operable pressure inducing means.

In the operation of this device when the load is initially applied to the device, the guide wheel 28 may be positioned in the fluid circuit as illustrated whereupon the device will operate as torque converter.

When the port 51 is connected to the brake system the springs 52 and 55 should be calibrated in such a manner that the spring 52 overcomes the resistance of spring 58 to hold the flange 35 in the retracted position illustrated.

With the device operating as a turbo clutch with the guide wheel 28 withdrawn from the iiuid circuit, the hub 30 will rotate freely on the section 33 of the sleeve I3. When the brakes are4 applied fluid pressure will be transmitted through the port 51 to `urge the plungers 54 into engagement with the flange 35 whereupon the flange 35, -the hub'3 and the guide wheel 28 are moved toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1 to engage the with the external threads 32.

internal threads 3| Fluid reaction exerted on the guide wheel will then rotate the guide wheel and hub 30 relative to the sleeve I3 to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 whereupon the device will'be transformed from a turbo clutch to a torque converter to transmit power at high torque multiplication, or to permit the turbo unit to be used`as an auxiliary brake.

When the brakes are released `the guide wheel will remain in the fluid circuit until `the speed of the turbine and pressure in the uid circuit approach a substantially predetermined relation whereupon the guide Wheel 28 will be withdrawn from the fluid circuit to transform the device to again operate as a turbo clutch.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 a driving shaft 60 is provided with an impeller housing 6| which terminates in an axially extending portion 62 surrounding a stationary sleeve 63 concentrically mounted relative to a driven shaft 64. A turbine web 65 is xed to the driven shaft 64 and cooperates with a turbine shroud 66 to position suitable turbine vanes 61 in the fluid circuit.

The guide wheel flange 68 and the auxiliary impeller flange 69 each have a plurality of axially spaced vane portions and 1|, and 10a and 1|a respectively, adapted to be positioned in the fluid circuit mounted on the stationary sleeve 63, and the axially extending portion 62l of the impeller housing 6| respectively in such a manner that the auxiliary impeller flange 69 may rotate with the axially-extending portion 62 of the impeller housing 6|, and the guide wheel flange 68 will be held against rotation on the stationary sleeve 63. The turbine web 65 terminates in a turbine hub 12 having an axially extending lportion 13 surrounding the driven shaft 64. A-anged member 14 axially movable relative to the axially extending portion 13 but rotatable therewith is provided with a plurality of spaced vane portions 15 and 16 adapted to be positioned in the fluid circuit between the impeller and turbine members. The vanes 10, 10a and 15 are designed with relatively4 thick contours having considerable curvature as illustrated in Fig. 4 for operation at heavy loads and low speeds. The vanes 1|, 1|a and 16 are designed with relatively thin contours with little or no curvature for operation at light loads and high speeds.

The flange 69 is carried by the impeller member and in such a manner as to rotate therewith and be axially shiftable into or out of the rfluid circuit to introduce an auxiliary fluid energizing member into the circuit.A The flange 69 carries a plurality of spaced 'varied portions 10 and 1I having vanes of varying contour positioned at varying angles to control the amount of power transmitted to the uid at varying speeds.

A fluid passageway 11 extends from the space between the turbine web 65 and the turbine peller ange 69 whereupon the flange 69 may beA and the auxiliary impeller flange 69 axially relative to their associated members 'to position the spaced vane portions 1|A and 1| respectively in the fluid circuit. A spring 84 will likewise urge the ange 14 axially on the hub 13 to positionthe vane portion 16 in the fluid circuit.

When the turbine becomes overloaded due to the transmission of increased torque,'the fluid pressure in the turbine channel increases Whereupon fluid pressure is transmitted through the passageway 11, conduit 18 and ports 19 and 80 to move flanges 69 and 68 to position the vane portions 10 and 10a respectively in the fluid circuit thereby transforming the device from a turbo clutch to operate as a torquey converter. Fluid pressure is also transmitted through the passageway 8| to urge the flange 14 axially to position the vane portion 15v of the turbine member in the fluid circuit, whereupon increased power may be absorbed from the fluid and transmitted to the driven shaft 64.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, a driving shaft |00 is provided with an impeller web |0| having suitable impeller vanes |02 interposed between the web |0| and an impeller shroud |03. A driven shaft |04 is preferably coaxially aligned with the driving shaft |00 and is provided with a turbine web |05 spaced from a turbine shroud |06 by suitable vanes |01. is preferably mounted on thedriving and driven shafts |00 and |04 respectively, and houses a cylinder |09 which receives a guide wheel member Ill),

The guide wheel member ||0 is provided with a plurality of spaced passageways and ||2 adapted to operate the device as a torque converter or as a turbo clutch respectively depending onwhich passageway is in the fluid circuit. The

subjected to uid pressures developed in the fluid circuit. An aperture 00 extending through the auxiliary impeller flange 69 permits the fluid to pass through the flange 69 to be exerted upon the rear face of the'guide wheel flange 68.

The passageway 11 also communicates with av guide wheel member ||0 is provided with a stem ||3 having a piston ||4 slidably mounted in a cylinder ||5 and yieldingly urged in opposite directicnsby calibrated springs |6 -and ||1 respectively, cooperating with the forces exerted by the fluid on the vanes, and the forces to which the piston ||4 is subjected whereby the position of the guide wheel member may be controlled.

The back surface 8 of the guide wheel member 0 may be subjected to fluid pressure developed inthe turbine by means of a passageway ||9 and a conduit |20 which interconnects the turbinel channel with a cylinder |2|. A conduit |22 preferably interconnects a portion of the cylinder I5 with a, source of fluid pressure which varies with Ivariations of speed of the driven shaft |04.

The operation of this device is as follows: When the unit is operating as a turbo clutch the pressure in the turbine circuit is relatively low, the passageway 2 of the guide wheelwill be positioned in the fluid circuit. When the torque transmitted increases, the pressure developed in the turbine channel increases-whereupon the surface ||8 of the guide wheel member ||0 will be subjected to increased'pressure in the cylinder I2 |A by reason of the fact that the passageway I 9 and conduit |20 interconnect the turbine channel with the cylinder |2|. As the device tends to slow down due to the transmission of increased torque at slower speed, 4the pressure developed by rotation of the driven shaft |04 and transmitted `through the conduit |22 decreases whereupon the spring ||1 overcomes the resistance ol the spring ||6 and adds a force to the force exerted against the surface ||8 of the guide Wheel member` ||0 to move the guide wheelmemb'er I0 A stationary housing |08 relative to the fluid circuit to position the passageway HI in the fluid circuit thereby transforming the device lfrom a turbo clutch to operate as a torque converter to transmit power at higher torque multiplication and at slower speed.

When the load transmitted by the device decreases the fluid pressure in the turbine channel decreases correspondingly. The fluid pressure transmitted to the cylinder |2I through the passageway H9 and conduit |20 also decreases proportionately to a decrease of pressure in the turbine. As theload transmitted by the device decreases the pressure in the chamber H increases due to more rapid rotation of the driven shaft |04. The guide wheel member I I0 is then shifted axially to position the passageway H2 in the fluid circuit by the differential of forces exerted on the stem H3 to transform the device from a torque converter to operate asy a turbo clutch to transmit power at a substantially 1:1 ratio.

It is to be understood that various features disclosed in different views of this application may be substituted for corresponding portions of other views without departing from the spirit of my invention.

This application is a continuation-impart of my co-pending application Serial No. 588,163, filed January 22, 1932, now Patent No. 2,222,618, issued November 26, 1940. Features disclosed but not claimed herein are being claimed in my co-pendlng application, Serial Number 454,829, filed August 14, 1942.

I claim:

1. In a turbo transmission for a vehicle, a driven shaftI an axially extending stationary member concentrically mounted relative to the driven shaft, a fluid circuit, a guide wheel mounted on the stationary member and movable axially thereon into or out of the fluid circuit to operate the transmission as a torque converter or as a turbo clutch, cooperating means comprising an internally threaded guide wheel hub and a threaded segment on the stationary member whereby the guide wheel may be locked against rotation in the fluid circuit or shifted axially on the stationary A*member to withdraw the guide wheel from the uid circuit to selectively operate the device as a. torque converter or as a turbo clutch, a movable flange mounted on the sta-l tionary member and positioned to engage the hub, and fluid pressure actuated means operable while the device is in operation as a turbo clutch to move the flange and hub relative to the stationary member to introduce the; guide wheel into the circuit to transform the device'to operate as a torque converter. i i

- a torque converter.

aseaesc 2. A turbo transmission for a motor driven vehicle comprising driving and driven shafts, an impeller operably connected to the driving shaft, a turbine operably connected to lthe driven shaft, the impeller and turbine cooperating to form a fluid circuit, a stationary member, a guide wheel associated with the fluid circuit and having a hub movably mounted on the stationary member to move the guide wheel into and out of the iluid circuit to selectively operate the transmission as a torque converter or as a turbo clutch, means including cooperating helical threads carried by the guide wheel hub and said stationary member `whereby the guide wheel may be locked against rotation in the fluid circuit when the device is operating as a torque converter and may be withdrawn from the fluid circuit and released to rotate when the device is operating as a turbo clutch, a movable ange associated with the stationary member and positioned to engage the guide wheel hub when the device is operating as a turbo clutch, and iluid pressure actuated means to move the flange to initiate movement of the hub to introduce the guide wheel. into the iluid circuit thereby transforming the device from a turbo clutch to operate as a torque converter.

3. A turbo transmission for a vehicle comprising a driving shaft, an impeller wheel operably connected to the driving shaft, a driven shaft, a turbine wheel operably connected to the driven shaft, the impeller and turbine wheels cooperating to` form a fluid circuit, a guide wheel associated with the fluid circuit, a stationary member having a helically threaded portion, means associated with the guide wheel and stationary member comprising a guide wheel hub having internal helical threads cooperating with the helically threaded portion of the stationary member to restrain the guide wheel from rotation in the fluid circuit to operate the device as a torque converter or to withdraw the guide wheel from the fluid circuit to operate the device as a turbo clutch, a movable flange mounted on the stationary member and positioned to engage the guide wheel hub when the device is operating as a turbo clutch, and manually operated fluid pressure actuated means to move the flange and hub to initiate movement of the guide wheel into the fluid circuit, and fluid reaction responsive means operable after said initial movement has been effected -to introduce the guide wheel into the fluid circuit to transform the device to operate as JOSEPH J ANDASEK. 

